Table mat



B. GERSHON Jan. 23, 1934.

TABLE MAT Filed April 27. 1933 AVA AVAV o o 0 0M0 o 0 o 0 0 o o ow 0 0 o o 0 o 0 flaw/9% MA 50 pad 7 in the lower portion.

Patented Jan. 23, 1934 UNITED STATES e 4 Claims.

My invention relates to table mats or covers, and more particularly to that type of mat which protects the surface of the table from the ef fects of vessels or dishes containing hot foods,

and one objectis to provide a mat of this kind which has a greater heat insulation value than the conventional mat.

A further object of the invention is to design the novel mat with a facing of leatherette material on both sides.

A still further object of the invention is to construct the novel mat with facings having vacuum-type contact means, whereby to prevent the mat from slipping or creeping on the surface of the table.

Another object of the invention is to construct the novel mat with its exterior entirely of washable material, in order that it may be sanitary.

A significant object of the invention is to build the novel mat with sections corresponding to its sides, one of such sections preferably being white and the other green in simulation of the conventional table mat.

An additional object of the invention is to provide facings for the novel mat which are formed with an array of impressed vacuum-type recesses, serving to hold the mat in place when laid on a table.

An important object of the invention is to design the novel mat on lines of extreme simplicity and to make the mat water-proof.

With the above objects in View and any others that may suggest themselves from the specification and claims to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective View of a typical unit of the novel table mat;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan View of a corner section of the mat; and

Fig. 3 is a further enlarged section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Referring specifically to the drawing, the section shown is for purposes of illustration made in two parts which are foldable along a medial line 5, The mat is structurally built up with two internal sheets or pads 6 of heat insulating material in the upper portion, and a single sheet or The facing 8 of leatherette or similar material covers the ex terior of the assembly, the edges of the facing being turned in between the portions with folds 8a, and the assembly stitched at 9 near the margin to secure its portions into the integral mat form. Thus, the mat is faced fully on both sides at its edges with the leatherette whichrendersit water-proof and capable of being washed ,or cleaned without the padding becoming affected. In fact, the stitching 9 is sufiiciently coarse to 50 snugly fill or stop up the perforations made by the needle, so thateven here the structure may be considered water-proof.

The leatherette or facing material for one side of the mat is preferably white and intended for 5 dinner service, while the facing of the other side is preferably green to conform to the conventional felt padding carried by table mats for the playing of cards or any other occupation for which the table may be employed. However, in my case, 7 q the mat being entirely surfaced with the leatherette and therefore washable 0r cleanable, is sanitary in contrast to the dusty and usually faded and unsightly felt pad. At the same time, the softness of the leatherette or similar facing pro- 7 vides a smooth contact with the surface of the table and keeps the latter from becoming marred or scratched.

The formation of the facing of leatherette or similar material is with a design or array of ribs 30 6a defining recesses or pockets 6b. The formation is further of a nature to confine or isolate the recesses 62; from each other, so as to constitute them as individual cups, which have a vacuum action when the mat is laid on a smooth surface. 35 Thus, the numerous contact formations in the under surface of the mat create a sufiicient hold when the mat is located on the table surface to check it from accidental shifting or sliding motion, or from such motion when an article or the hand is laid on the mat. However, the adhesion of the mat is not so great as to prevent it from being easily shifted or moved to the desired position when pushed with a little pressure or a slight lifting tendency. I have illustrated a simple dia- 5 mond formation on the surface of the mat for the sake of simplicity, but it will be evident that an infinite number of designs may be employed, wherein an array of confined or individual recesses or pockets is created in a surface or relief 1 0 formation of the material.

It will be evident from the above description that I have devised a mat which is simply constructed, may be adapted to any customary folding or sectional arrangement, and constitutes a,105 sanitary, doubled-faced, water-proof and compact structure. The novel mat has the general appearance of the standard article, yet has the outstanding quality of being non-shiftable when laid, making it dependable in position when a;11o

table service is being prepared or used. Further, the provision of the recesses 01' spaces in both the upper and lower surfaces of the mat with a vacuum tendency is an additional insulation against heat, rendering the surface of the table considerably safer in this respect. Also, when the internal padding contains moisture, such as from the atmosphere, the passage of the moisture to the table surface by natural action-o-r from the heat of a vessel or dish placed on the matis prevented by the lower surfacing material, rendering the mat moisture-proof. Finally, it will be apparent that a mat of this kind may be produced practically as cheap as the conventional table mat and thus comes within the limits which the average household can afford.

I claim:--

1. A table mat comprising a heat insulating sheet of padding having relatively smooth faces, a thin layer of protective covering material secured to the padding, the exposed portions of said material having substantially its entire surface formed with a plurality of recesses having a vacuum action when the mat is laid on a smooth surface. 7

2. A table mat comprising a heat insulating sheet of padding having relatively smooth faces,

a thin layer of protective material covering the top and bottom of the padding substantially the entire surface of said material being formed with a plurality of vacuum cups to hold the mat in place when laid on a smooth surface.

3. A table mat comprising a heat insulating sheet of padding having relatively smooth faces, a thin layer of protective covering material secured to the padding, said material having its hidden surface relatively smooth and the exposed surface formed with a plurality of recesses, the latter having a vacuum action when the mat is laid on a smooth surface.

4. A table mat comprising upper and lower layers of heat insulating material with each layer having relatively smooth faces, a top covering of protective material over the upper layer, a relatively thin bottom covering of protective material under the lower layer, extensions of the coverings continued over the edges in folded doubled formation between the layers, the assembly being stitched along the zone of the covering folds to unite the parts assembled, said thin covering having substantially its entire exposed surface formed with a plurality of vacuum cups.

' BENJAMIN GERSI-ION. 

